Background
Wilhelm Robert Rasmussen was born in Skien in Telemark county, Norway.
Wilhelm Robert Rasmussen was born in Skien in Telemark county, Norway.
He studied under Norwegian sculptors Brynjulf Bergslien and Lars Utne (1862-1922), and later trained at the Drawing Academy in Oslo from 1895 to 1900, then a short time in Paris in 1902 and in Italy in 1906.
From 1921 to 1945 he was professor of sculptor at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry and had among others, Ørnulf Bast as a student. Following a very controversial history, the 34 meter tall was re-titled Sagasøyla (Saga column) and was finally erected in the Bøverdalen valley in Lom municipality in the County of Oppland during 1992. Among his other works are busts of Norwegian architect Magnus Poulsson and of Norwegian poet Olav Aukrust at the National Gallery of Norway.
He became a member of Nasjonal Samling in 1933, and "was an active member of the party".